Atlas Carries the Weight of the World

The propaganda captioned, “The worker has pulled the world out of darkness and illuminated it with the light of the enlightenment,” is a poster depicting the Soviet Union’s attempt to draw in the working class through literacy and education. During the 1920s and 1930s, Soviet Russia was in an industrialization frenzy. There was an advocacy for kolkhoz, collectivized farms, which promoted more urbanization and followed with the demonization of the kulaks (slightly better off peasants). The need for collectivization was everywhere. And to promote their ideas and to create a more Communist state they needed the individuals to be literate, only to read propaganda and learn the importance of Stalin and Lenin’s presence in Soviet Russia.

What they needed individuals to understand was the importance of Soviet Russia ideologies, and to essentially brainwash the civilians into submission. Some of the symbols that promoted these ideologies were: the smoke stacks and factories, the color red, the Atlas-like figure, and the globe with the illuminated Soviet Russia. The smoke stacks are a representation of the fall of religion and rise of Atheism, for they replaced church crosses. Atheism was a mechanism to create dependence upon the state, to ensure the sole devotion to the state. To be a collective with mixed theologies would create division amongst the people, however they were promoting equality and inclusion. To create that atmosphere there needed to be one central focus – Communist state. The factories, were an example of urbanization and unity through production and efficiency. The best type of worker was a dedicated and proficient one. The illuminated globe centralized the importance of Soviet Russia, the work done in Russia was the work necessary for the world. It also creates an isolated world, one where Soviet Russia is the center of everything, and none of the neighboring nations are as important because Soviet Russia’s goal is immediate with the motherland. The color red, is greatly associated with the Communist party, which was a party for the peasants and the works. They were a party for the people. The color red was expressed in many ways, such as the Red Army and during the Civil War of 1918 the Reds were the Bolshevik (or communist) party. Lastly, the Atlas-like figure holding the globe can be viewed in two lights. The first being, Atlas holding the celestial sphere showing the importance of the worker or the working class. Without the presence of the working class the world would cease to function. The second being, the punishment of the workers for eternity. They will forever be at the service of others, even with the Communist party being a peasant or worker party they still hold the weight of the revolution and success of society on their shoulders.

Now understanding the contextual symbolism in the poster, Literacy in Soviet Russia was a big component to the control of the civilians. Without literacy, the civilians were inaccessible. This happened through coercion, propaganda, threatening, and isolation. Therefore, the use of propaganda cars was prominent during this era (urbanization), which provided the rural communities with information about the way society should be. Propaganda mediums such as newspapers and posters wouldn’t have been as effective had the number of literate people in Soviet Russia remained the same. Literacy provided a more patriotic society. It created an atmosphere that was pro-Stalinist and Leninist. Families could teach their children how to properly devote themselves to Communist ideologies and practices. If the children could be sought out earlier in their years, it would create a secure devotion. Individualization was declining due to the isolation and ostracizing of peasants or intellectuals that could pose any threats to Soviet Russia. They got rid of many people by putting them in jail and in labor camps. They used propaganda to alienate them from society, they were enemies of the state.

The working class (everyday peasant civilians), were the focus group of Communist Russia propaganda. The workers were the forefront of the revolution, and without their support and involvement in the communist society, there would not be a revolution. The Communist party preached the corruption of the Bourgeois, and how they promote a capitalist society. The longer the Bourgeois remained in power the worse off the peasants would be. Instead of allowing the working class to be governed in a monarchy that sought only the benefit of the wealthy, the Communist party wanted to dismantle that structure and create a governing party for the people and by the people. They wanted peasants to join the party, for their involvement could be a beacon of hope to revolutionize the world. They believed it began in Russia, but in time the globe would understand the necessity of a Communist state.

Overall, the poster is an excellent example of Soviet Russia propaganda during the 1920s and 1930s for it highlights Soviet customs and ideologies, and reminds the working class of their importance in a Soviet society. This, Soviet Russia does through the advancement of literacy amongst civilians. The correct knowledge is power, viewing it from a Soviet perspective.